Crew Cut
Short · athletic
A crew cut tapers the back and sides short with clippers and leaves the top graduated: around an inch at the front hairline, shortening toward the crown. That front length is the difference from a buzz, just enough to brush up or push to the side.
Who it suits
The slight front height flatters round and heart faces, and square jaws suit its clean edges. Straight and wavy hair takes the shape best; very tight curls will read more like a short afro taper, which is its own good cut. Deep widow's peaks look sharp with the front brushed up.
Every three to four weeks at the barbershop keeps the taper clean. Styling is thirty seconds of brushing, with or without a light product.
Crew Cut — common questions
What's the difference between a crew cut and a buzz cut?
A buzz cut is one guard length everywhere. A crew cut keeps clipper-short sides but leaves the top longer and graduated, longest at the front. If you can brush any of it, it is a crew cut; if it is uniform stubble, it is a buzz.
What's the difference between a crew cut and an Ivy League?
Length on top. An Ivy League is essentially a crew cut grown out enough to part and comb to the side, roughly an inch and a half or more at the front. The crew cut stays shorter and more upright.
